Agenda item

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Advice:

James Doe – There are a lot of things coming together for Hemel Hempstead at this time and the existing Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Strategy is in need of a refresh but other critical projects such as Hemel Garden Communities and Two Waters and Apsley Master Plan are really starting to take off with a number of key sites coming forward. Very important Trends around how people will live and work in the future post-Covid will need to be looked at, as well as fundamental structural changes in economy.

The report proposes Cabinet to consider the establishment of Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy to pull all different strands together, drawing upon work already approved under the growth and infrastructure strategy and the Hemel garden community spatial vision, this applies to whole of the town.

To coordinate action across the town and transformative approach across the town. Section 3 of report outlines things it would cover. There is a need for climate change to be underpinned.

Looking at the strategy around the Town Centre, the next main part needs to be an early piece of work and considering the impact on retailing post-Covid. We need to tackle key sites within the town centre. See appendices for information on addressing key changes and how to make town centre successful, vibrant and ambitious in the future. Looking at all aspect of life and economy within the town centre such as urban design, need for transport, community and wellbeing issues, as there has been a considerable rise in new residential properties within town centre. 

In terms of taking work forward, this will be a major piece of work and needs a lead consultant, specialising in urban futures and ability to fully assess economics of commercial development to pull together all strands as discussed above. We are asking Cabinet to agree to the procurement process to have things moving forward with view to having a full consultancy team in place for June/July this year.

Section 6 of the Report – covers this, for such a Strategy to be successful, it is dependent on an extensive amount of engagement with residents, land owners, developers and business. Consultancy called Thinking Place will look into this aspect. There is a Part II element on cost plan for this work.

Cllr Alan Anderson – supports it and considers it is fundamentally important to do it and whilst extensive investment is required, still needs to be done. In summary happy to support.

Mark Gaynor – Timing of this is crucial and needs to take opportunity to be proactive on economic recovery. Will be a different town centre and need to attract people in, need to have new attractions coming in and systems will make it easier to make that happen. If the Council is on board, private investment will be willing to come on board and hopefully attract potential investment. It is crucial to have vision which is sellable.

Cllr Margaret Griffiths – Happy to support and need to be ahead of the game, this should not be done on the cheap and is a major issue for Dacorum as a whole, not just Hemel. Dacorum has been known for innovation in the past and so need to make sure that we are taking residents with us and not seen as being done to them or wasting money. Important to check with residents and businesses along the process. This is exciting and should be viewed that way.

James Doe – Agrees with need for engagement and this being a platform for investment is crucial. Need to be on the same level as others doing this. Having a Town Centre fit for purpose in the long term. The Town Centre is something we need to keep on top of. This is about taking us onto the next step and needs appropriate resourcing.

Cllr Andrew Williams – Aware that this focusses on Hemel Town Centre and not forgetting that there are other Town Centres in Dacorum, however it is necessary given the situation the Town Centre finds itself in. Not forgetting the impact on retail, this will be different in different places and Hemel Town Centre is different to other centres. Others are largely in Conservation Areas with listed buildings and constraints which would not be possible to undertake this type of project.  Consideration of bringing forward an independent Chair on this project.

Claire Hamilton – Creating the right environment for investment. We will foster an environment of excitement in this project and trust in the Council as a good partner, good to do business with and a good curator of the Town Centre. If we can get these conditions right, then it will install confidence and therefore investment will come.

James Doe – other centres are not being forgotten just need a different approach as different constraints to consider.